WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — A Wayne County roadside wildflower planting has earned top honors from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, highlighting the county’s role in helping keep the state’s highways vibrant and environmentally friendly.
NCDOT announced the winners of its 2025 Wildflower Awards this week, recognizing maintenance crews across North Carolina for their work cultivating roadside blooms that support pollinators and enhance the driving experience. Wayne County’s site along Interstate 42 at mile marker 361 received First Place for Best Regional Wildflower Planting in the Eastern Region.
The award is part of the NCDOT Wildflower Program, which began in 1985 and has grown into a statewide initiative promoting natural beauty and environmental stewardship along North Carolina highways.
“From planning to planting, these crews pour energy and care into every bloom,” said Jeremy Goodwin, NCDOT’s roadside environmental engineer. “After four decades, it’s amazing to see how something that started as a small idea has grown into a statewide celebration of nature, community and color.”
In addition to Wayne County’s recognition, Division 4 — which includes Edgecombe, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Wayne, and Wilson counties — also received First Place for Best Overall Division Wildflower Program, further highlighting the region’s continued commitment to beautification and conservation.
The Wildflower Awards, sponsored by The Garden Club of North Carolina, recognize the best roadside flower beds across the state. Winning sites are evaluated on visual appeal, plant health, maintenance, and environmental benefits, including support for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Other Eastern Region winners included a second-place finish for a planting at U.S. 70 and N.C. 148 in Lenoir County.
The NCDOT Wildflower Program is celebrating its 40th year, with officials noting that the roadside blooms not only improve travel experiences but also contribute to ecological health throughout the state.
With the spring season underway, motorists traveling through Wayne County may begin to notice the award-winning wildflower displays along I-42, offering a colorful reminder of the work being done behind the scenes to keep North Carolina roads both beautiful and environmentally friendly.
